In front of a cafeteria full of students, Margaret Christle, library media specialist at Auburn Middle School, was announced as the 2016-17 MCPS Teacher of the Year. The announcement was met with cheers and applause by AMS students and staff. Christle has worked at Auburn Middle since 2014 and has also worked at Blacksburg High School.

Christle’s dedication to school libraries is evident in her work in and out of the school. “School libraries are places of exploration, creative and creation that can transform an entire school and its learning culture,” said Christle. Christle serves on the Board of Trustees for the Montgomery Floyd Regional Library and is an expert in her field – providing presentations and publishing articles on the changes school libraries must undergo to best serve the students and teachers in the building.

“I embrace four basic concepts as a school librarian,” said Christle. “Always invest in my teachers, do more than just meet my students’ library needs, create a library that attracts all students, and practice consistency, not spurts of greatness.”

Christle was chosen from among all of the school level teachers of the year and will move on to the Regional Teacher of the Year competition.

Christle earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature from James Madison University and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Radford University. She has been an educator for 19 years, serving in Giles County before coming to Montgomery County.

The Teacher of the Year is selected at the end of one school year and serves as the Teacher of the Year for the following school year, in order to mirror the state process.

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